After not playing for a over week due to dwindling two-way days, Jeff Dowtin Jr. set a new career high in his home state with his family in attendance.
WASHINGTON, D.C. — When the Sixers’ season began, no one thought that Jeff Dowtin Jr. running out of available two-way games would be an actual problem they’d have to deal with.
Dozens of injuries and a few hardship exceptions later, the Sixers found themselves struggling to field a team for the final weeks of the season.
After suiting up on March 26, Dowtin had used up 48 of his 50 eligible NBA days on a two-way contract. That meant he had to sit the next six games before taking the court again.
With just three games left in the season, Dowtin was finally able to suit up again. A native of the DMV area, he came back and dropped a career-high 30 points in Washington against the Wizards.
He shot a blistering 11-of-15 from the field, including a 1:23 stretch in the third quarter that saw him rip off 11 straight points.
“When you see one go in, you kind of feel good, [I] just stay confident in my shots, and I was able to hit a couple,” he said. “I just got a nice rhythm going in that third quarter. I was able to hit a couple more, and everything just felt good tonight.”
That run in the third saw the Sixers take a double-digit lead they wouldn’t look back from. The win saw them snap a season-long 12-game losing streak.
“He certainly got in a flurry there for a few minutes, that was really good to see and he kept making ‘em,” Nick Nurse said, “and they kept running some more guys at him and he still kept making ‘em.”
Unsurprisingly, Nurse said his teammates gave him the game ball for the night.
Even for someone whose opportunities were sporadic earlier in the year, Dowtin admitted it still wasn’t easy to get back in a groove after not playing for a couple of weeks.
“It’s a big challenge, but I think the biggest thing is, you know, having a routine throughout the whole season,” said Dowtin. “So I think that’s been major for me, whether I’m playing or not playing, keep the same workout regiment, stay in condition. The player development staff has done a phenomenal job with me this year.”
His teammates can relate to being in a similar situation.
“It’s great, man. I feel like his journey, what he’s been through. I love seeing the success like this, coming from a guy that’s been on a two way, having limited amount of games, like I know how tough it is,” said Jared Butler. “He hasn’t played in two weeks and comes out and gets 30 so props to him.”
The career night meant all the more to Dowtin as he did it close to where he grew up, with about 30 family members and friends in attendance.
“It’s one of the first times I ever played a professional game in front of them,” Dowtin said. “[There were] definitely a lot of emotions out there so it’s great that I can do something special in front of them.”
“put your 30s up!” @JeffD_11’s whole family was in the building tonight for his career-high. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/FJRb9QQ2cQ
— Philadelphia 76ers (@sixers) April 10, 2025
For a guy who’s had to stay ready his entire NBA career, Dowtin couldn’t have picked a better night to come back and hit the ground running.